New measures that will penalise companies for leaving potholes on roads after carrying out street works could cut down on thousands of potholes in the UK.   

The new law change will help stop the UK’s “plague of potholes” by ensuring that roads are resurfaced to a high standard when work is finished

The Government said the new law change would help stop the UK’s “plague of potholes” by ensuring that roads are resurfaced to a high standard when work is finished.   

This will be backed by a new performance-based inspections regime where the worst-performing utility companies whose road works fail to meet strict standards will face financial penalties. These companies will go on to be inspected more regularly by local authorities to ensure their work meets rigorous criteria and they leave roads in good condition.   

Government research shows that while the majority of companies carry out street works to a high standard and pass inspections, utility companies are on average failing 9% of the inspections that are carried out, and the worst performing utility company is failing a significant 63% of its inspections.   

The new measures will help drivers save money on tyre and car damages caused by uneven road surfaces – and could even cut congestion, according to the Government by mandating that live updates on roadworks are improved. Companies will be asked to provide information about when works start and stop at weekends and all local authorities must send start/stop information about their works. This will update sat navs and other apps so motorists are aware of where road works are happening and can avoid those areas – preventing traffic from building up.   

The new plans will also help telecoms operators roll out broadband nationwide through exemptions to restrictions on works for new customer connections.   

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “The plague of potholes is the menace of our roads. That’s why I’m ensuring companies who create them and leave roads in a poor state can be held to account more easily – protecting drivers from unfair repair costs.   

“We’ve already invested billions of pounds into roads maintenance, helping local authorities keep their highways well maintained and I’ll continue working to make sure all road-users around the country can enjoy the safe, world-class infrastructure they deserve.   

And Roads Minister Baroness Vere said the changes were a “clear victory for motorists and all road users”, who will be able to enjoy smoother, safer journeys. 

RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: “While roadworks are frustrating at the best of times, it’s even worse when utility companies leave roads in a sub-standard state when the temporary traffic lights are finally removed. Poorly carried out reinstatement work very often leads to road surfaces breaking down, unnecessarily causing potholes much to the annoyance of drivers. Introducing a performance-based inspections scheme should force utilities companies to raise their game and should ultimately lead to smoother and safer journeys for all road users.”